Clamping device for wires



(No-Model.) Y i J. C. TROVILLION.

GLAMPING DEVICE FOR WIRES.

Patented N 8'7.

gaqmr UNITED STATES JAMES CARR TROVILLION, OF TUNNEL HILL, ILLINOIS.

PATENT OFFICE. I

CLAMPING DEVICE FOR WIRES SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No.373,789, dated November 22, 188'].

Application filed August 18, 1887. Serial No. 247,247. (No model.)

the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which Figure l is a side view of my new and improved clamping-device for wires for use in the construction of wire fences, showing the same in its open position for placing the wire therein. Fig. 2 is a side view showing the device closed or clamped on a wire. Fig. 3 is a view of the recessed circular main block of the clamping device. Fig. 4 is a view of the slotted wedge-shaped block, and Fig. 5 isa longitudinal sectional view of the wedgeshaped block.

The same letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My'invention consists in anew andimproved clamping device for use in the construction or building of wire fences, and it will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Referring to the several parts by letter, A indicates the main part of my'clarnping device or the larger clamp'ingblock thereof,and consists of a block which is here shown as circular in form, but which may of course be square or of any other suitable shape. This main block A is formed in one of its sides with the deep recess or opening B,which is inclined or wedge-shaped,'b eing larger at one end than at the other,and in one of the flat sides of this recess is formed a dovetailed groove or recess, 0, into which is slid or forced a steel clamping-plate, D, the outer face of which is formed with the inclined serrations E; and by forming the opening or recess 0 with the dovetailed ends the steel clamping-plate can be removed to be recut when it becomes worn by use.

Onthe side of the main block A, to one side of its central deep recess or opening, B, is

formed an inwardly-proj ecting block or lip, F, having the transverse opening Gr through its inner end, through which passes the removable screw or bolt H, for the purpose hereinafter specified. The main blockA with its lip F are cast integral, of malleable iron, preferably.

I indicates the sliding wedge-shaped block of the clamp, which is also formed of malleable iron and of the size shown, being as thick as the depth of the deep recess or opening B, in which it slides, so that its outer face is flush with that outer side of the block A. This block I is wedge-shaped and has formed in one of its edges or sidesadovetailed groove, J, in which fits a steel clamping-plate, K, the

outer face of which is formed with the inclined serrations L, this steel clamping-plate being so located in the side of the block I that when the said block is drawn into its operative po-' sition its steel serrated clamping-plate will be directly opposite to the steel clamping-plate of the block A. By forming the groove or recess J with the dovetailed ends the steel clamping-plateK can be removed, to be recut when its operative face becomes worn by long use. Near its opposite edge the wedge shaped block I is formed with the longitudinal slot M; and when this block is placed in position in the deep groove or recess in the main block A it is secured from falling out by the screw or bolt H, which passes through the perforated inner end of the lip F, through the said longitudinal slot M. and has its inner end inserted in the bottom of the recess B, the inner half of the lip H extending with its flat inner side over that half of the wedge-shaped block I over its slotted portion and assisting in holding the said block in place in the recess in which it slides. The shouldered'smaller outer end of the wedge-block I is cast with a central pillar,N,having a shouldered threaded outer end, 0, and on this pillar is swiveled a block or collar, P, having the ring Q; and held in position on the pillar by a nut, R, as most clearly shown in the sectional view, Fig. 5, of the drawings.

In operation, in stretching awire from post to post in the construction of wire fences, the loose or free-end portion of the wire is placed between the recessed sides of the block A and of the wedge-block I, which are provided with the serrated steel clam ping-plates, the wedgeblock being pushed open, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, when, by drawing on the smaller ringed end of the wedge-block, the said block is drawn along through the wedgeshaped opening B in the block A until the wire is tightly seized between the said steel clamping-plates on the adjacent sides of the recesses in the block Aand of the wedge-shaped block I. The said serrated plates will firmly seize the wire and effectually prevent it from slipping,and itwill be readily seen that,owing to the wedge shape of the recess or openingB in the main block A and the wedge shape of the sliding block I, the more force or power that is applied to the outer ringed end of the wedge-block I the tighter will the Wire be held in the clamping device.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages of my newand improved clamping device will be readily understood.

It will be seen that my new and improved device is simple and strong in construction and can be manufactured at asmall cost,while it is exceedingly effective and satisfactory in its operation. It possesses great durability and is easy in operation, while it is cheap in construction, the swiveled ring adding to the convenience and ease with which it may be employed; and it will be found that the wire will not slip in the clamp while being stretched, and will not be bent, as it is held between the long straight clamping-sides of the blocks in the device.

My new and improved clamping device can be attached to a suitable ratchetlever, or the farmer can use a plain wooden bar, five feet long and of suitable diameter, in connection with the clamping device, as will be readily understood.

Having thus described my invention, whatI claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

The combination of the main block formed wit-h the wedge-shaped opening having the dovetailed recess in one of its sides, and hav-. ing the integral inwardly-projecting perforated lip and the steel clamping-plate fitting in the said recess and formed with the corrugated outer surface, the screw-b0lt,the wedgeshaped block having the longitudinal slot and having the dovetailed recess formed in one of 'its sides and formed with the pillar on its shouldered smaller end, having the retainingnut, the steel clamping-plate fitting in the said recess and l'ormed'with the corrugated outer surface, and the ring having the collar or sleeve, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES CARR TROVILLION.

Witnesses:

F. M. TRIGG, H. L. WHITTENBOY. 

